This is why I don't clean...

...or it's a good excuse at least.

Thought I would vacuum today since it's Sunday, and that is my traditional floor cleaning day (I sound like I do this often--false). It had been awhile since I vacuumed while Hudson was here (preferring my lunch break), but previously he never seemed to mind the noise and liked to watch me push the funny thing all over. I set Hudson in his crib so that he wouldn't chase the vacuum around and ruin his hearing in the process. Males apparently have a hard enough time hearing as it is.

Anyhoo, I finished vacuuming our room in .02 seconds since it's enormous, only to look up and see this quivering back at me:

Nope, never starting that scary vacuum thing ever again.

Progress and Freedom

The Hudman has new found freedom with his mad walking skillz--however, it doesn't necessarily mean independence.

The little monster has been living it up, walking from place to place on a whim, even carrying treasures with him as he goes. The other day he zoomed down the hallway with a curling iron, "brushing" his pretty locks and walking at the same time. I can't even do that. This new ability to carry things with ease is quite the joy for him. Swinging a book by your side is certainly easier than sliding it along the scratchy carpet under your hand when you're on all fours. However, he's not exactly graceful yet, and I love him for it. The term "toddler" will be exceedingly appropriate for him once he reaches his upcoming birthday.

Previously when I answered questions of "is he walking yet?" with a "no," I was met with, "well oh boy are you in for it!"
I've been in for it from day one with this boy. Not much is different in the things he can manage to get into; he was always very crafty with getting his way. In the last few weeks, however, he has mastered getting on and off the furniture. This means that I can no longer "enjoy" a snack in the living room by avoiding his grasp from the floor--the stinker climbs up on my lap to sample my grub. Today he walked off with half of my cheese sandwich--one quarter to his tummy, the other quarter I found behind the couch.

Even with his adventurous spirit, I still can't catch a moment to myself. Hudson must be climbing up my leg to wherever I'm sitting--or if he does venture out into the depths of the apartment (ha), he makes sure to get into something he's not supposed to be in so that I will once again be at his side. Sometimes it's nice to never truly be alone--but then again, I would like to be able to shut the bathroom door without the sh!+ hitting the fan. HOW. DARE. I. even think about peeing in private. Silly, silly mommy. When will I ever learn?

My how the time flies...

Hi Blog, it's me...Nicky. I just want to apologize for the extreme neglect you've been feeling as of late. You see, life got in the way of our time together--big time. There was finals week, graduation, family visiting, celebrating, and life in general. Even worse, in the meantime, some pretty big things have happened, like the aforementioned graduation. But things happened even before that, and that is where we will begin the reconciliation today.

Umm, you're going to hate me for keeping this one from you for so long...but...

HUDSON CAN WALK.

Yep. I sorry.

It started while we were back at Grandma and Grandpa's in April. April 24 to be exact. The lil booger just let go and took off. Here he is on April 27, walking for a bit, then pretending his legs don't work while laughing at me.

Oh, and he will also run off with any exercise ball in the vicinity.

So far, he possesses the walking capability, but 90% of the time chooses to rely on modes of transportation that require all four limbs on the ground.

And then there was graduation. Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Ken came down to see me in my 5 seconds of fame. Well, Grandma came to see it live, while Grandpa and Uncle Ken watched it online from home--not because they had swine flu (excuse me, H1N1), but because they menfolk were tending to the terror babe.

Hudson got to stay in the motel with Grandma and Grandpa on Friday and Saturday nights--and you know what that means--maybe? I hit the town. For the third time in two weeks, which also translates to the third time since October. It was fun. Lots and lots of fun. However, it didn't help my sleep deprivation in the least bit.

So I've graduated, school is done forever, and Hudson can walk. So what does the future hold? At the moment, I'm still trying to catch up on the other things in my life that I have neglected. That should take about two weeks. I have an interview on Tuesday. I start back working for the Professor on Wednesday. The job search most definitely continues--if I ever find the time and this walking, still biting, mischievous monkey ever gets off my back. Turns out being unemployed isn't as easy as it looks.

I've also missed some { Fresh Photo Friday }s in this time. So to make up for it, I give you these:

I hope my absence has only made the heart grow fonder.

Four years of my life and one gazillion dollars for a piece of paper and now a "congratulatory nod of the head"

Bahahahaha. Maybe it's the quart of espresso I have ingested in the last few days, but I can't stop laughing about the e-mail I received a few moments ago from the university:

"The University of (Noneofyourbusiness) is doing its part to help minimize the potential impact of the H1N1 virus while globally health care and public health professionals work to contain the virus. As a result, and solely as a precautionary measure, the commencement ceremony will include a cordial and congratulatory nod of the head from the university president instead of the traditional handshake.

To limit possible spread of any virus and safeguard the health of those in attendance, notices will be posted at all entrances to the Multipurpose Building asking persons who exhibit any flu-like symptoms to please go home to minimize exposure to others. They are encouraged to view the event by following steps outlined at (universitywebsite).

Administratordude, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
Office of Student Affairs "



What the hell am I supposed to do in return? Curtsy? Up-nod? Try to pound-it-dawg?
I mean, he doesn't have to lick his hands after each shake. And for the rest of the graduates, a post-shake squirt of hand sanitizer wouldn't be too crazy, would it?
Please tell me I'm not the only one who finds this slightly ridiculous and/or hilarious.

And so the end begins...

This is my final finals week. I'm happy to say the least.
If you would like to count down with me, here is what I have to barrel through to get that uber-expensive piece of paper on Saturday:
Monday

2 design projects starting Monday and ending Friday

Edit audio project

Fashion Promotion final exam
Tuesday

Essay

Mass Media Advertising final exam

Book return--quite the task...
Wednesday

Media Literacy final projects
Thursday

Work: go through an entire tube of red ink, operate the ancient, sacred Scantron machine
Friday

Work: crunch numbers, determine final grades for Art students, therefore destroying their lives

Return library books

Welcome Grandma and Grandpa to to the area

Saturday

The sweet, sweet bliss that is getting out of this institution with a diploma in only four years. Two-hour ceremony, 5 seconds of fame.

In addition, I will be mailing Hudson's birthday party invitations, continuing interviews, correspondence, and writing for my volunteer position, wrangling Hudson, and making time to eat and sleep.

All in all, this is far from my worst finals week. It's actually--dare I say it--kind of easy.